TRANSCORE AA3233-004 Heavy Rail Antenna User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- TRANSCORE
Table of Contents
AA3233-004 Heavy Rail Antenna
User Guide
AA3233-004 Heavy Rail Antenna
This guideline provides general information for developing an installation
plan for Trans Core’s AA3233-004, AA3233-005, AA3234, AA3237, and AA3238
antennas. The structural assembly under train cars or locomotives varies
considerably for each train manufacturer. Each installation must be
customized. All installation configurations should be thoroughly tested before
completing the project.
Note: Antenna footprints are highly dependent on the install and its
environment. The measurements shown in this guideline were taken in a
controlled lab without a train and will require adjustment based on the actual
installation and equipment.
Factors that affect margins
All surrounding metal can affect margins, including the metal floor of the
train. Close-mounted metal objects can “skew” or misshape the footprint.
A center footprint measurement for each train type should be taken at the
start of a project to make sure that the footprint is long enough and the
margins high enough for reliable operation.
Polarization
The long axis of the antenna must be aligned in the same direction as the long axis of the tag. Trans Core tags and antennas are linearly polarized in the direction of the long axis of each component. If the tag and antenna are at 90 degrees with this polarization, the system will not function. Tags and antennas should be center-aligned with each other, +/- 7.5 cm (Figure 1).
Mounting
The antenna mounting fixture needs to be structurally stable and should be
attached to the train car body or the bogie according to the train car
manufacturer recommendations.
The coax cable strain relief must be as near to the coax connector as
possible. The cable should be immobile to prevent shock, vibration, and cable
movement from loosening the coax connector.
Note: Refer to TransCore document 16-0089-001, Antenna Strain Relief
Mount Installation Instructions.
Metal from the mounting fixture should not extend more than ¼ inch below the
antenna back plane surface, radiomen side, with the exception of the mounting
bolt caps.
Metal Free Zone
Metal fixtures from other under-train components that are above the back plane
of the antenna will have no effect on system performance. Metal fixtures that
are below the back plane of the antenna should not intrude on the radiation
cone designated by the angles shown in Figure 2, and additionally should be
kept 30 cm from close proximity to the antenna, as also shown in Figure 2.
Metal obstructions that violate these rules have been know to cause
distortions in the antenna radiation pattern which could possibly cause
serious performance issues.
For more information:
Sales Support
800.923.4824
Technical Support
505.856.8007
transcore.com
© 2020-2022 TransCore LP. All rights reserved. TRANSCORE is a registered
trademark, and is used under license. All other trademarks listed are the
property of their respective owners. Contents subject to change. Printed in
the U.S.A.
16-0148-001 Rev C 2/2022